Fluoride
Brigantine Water Department
Fluoride occurs naturally in surface and groundwater and is also added to drinking water by many water systems. Read More.
Fluoride has been promoted as a chemical that reduces dental cavities. Yet it is now well-established that fluoride primarily exerts its protective effects through topical mechanisms, such as sodium fluoride in toothpaste and mouthwash. In contrast, long-term ingestion of fluoride in water increases dental fluorosis, which includes mottling, pitting and weakening of the teeth. EPA's maximum legal limit is set at 4 parts per million (ppm) to prevent skeletal fluorosis, a condition where bones become brittle and more susceptible to fractures, although these effects may occur at lower doses.
Even fluoride levels of 0.7 ppm, the amount of fluoride in drinking water recommended by the U.S. Public Health Service, can result in too much fluoride for bottle-fed babies. EWG recommends that caregivers mix baby formula with fluoride-free water. The National Toxicology Program is investigating the potential for low doses of fluoride to alter thyroid function and childhood brain development.
Samples
Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)
Samples exceeding
health guidelines
Testing results - average by year
| Year | Average result | Samples taken | Detections | Range of results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 2014 | 0.210 ppm | 8 | 8 | 0.171 ppm - 0.226 ppm |
| 2015 | 0.200 ppm | 8 | 8 | 0.174 ppm - 0.216 ppm |
| 2016 | 0.140 ppm | 8 | 8 | 0.110 ppm - 0.164 ppm |
| 2017 | 0.319 ppm | 14 | 14 | 0.190 ppm - 0.450 ppm |
| 2018 | 0.120 ppm | 6 | 6 | 0.1000 ppm - 0.130 ppm |
| 2019 | 0.167 ppm | 6 | 6 | 0.150 ppm - 0.190 ppm |
ppm = parts per million
State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines
EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL) 4 ppm
ppm = parts per million
All test results
| Date | Lab ID | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2014-03-26 | L4989854-3 | 0.224 ppm |
| 2014-03-26 | L4989854-2 | 0.171 ppm |
| 2014-03-26 | L4989854-5 | 0.220 ppm |
| 2014-03-26 | L4989854-6 | 0.219 ppm |
| 2014-03-26 | L4989854-1 | 0.174 ppm |
| 2014-03-26 | L4989854-4 | 0.226 ppm |
| 2014-03-26 | L4989854-7 | 0.222 ppm |
| 2014-03-26 | L4989854-8 | 0.225 ppm |
| 2015-03-19 | L5503040-8 | 0.205 ppm |
| 2015-03-19 | L5503040-5 | 0.216 ppm |
| 2015-03-19 | L5503040-6 | 0.211 ppm |
| 2015-03-19 | L5503040-7 | 0.199 ppm |
| 2015-03-19 | L5503040-2 | 0.178 ppm |
| 2015-03-19 | L5503040-1 | 0.174 ppm |
| 2015-03-19 | L5503040-3 | 0.208 ppm |
| 2015-03-19 | L5503040-4 | 0.205 ppm |
| 2016-03-23 | L6140336-1 | 0.117 ppm |
| 2016-03-23 | L6140336-5 | 0.151 ppm |
| 2016-03-23 | L6140336-6 | 0.158 ppm |
| 2016-03-23 | L6140336-2 | 0.136 ppm |
| 2016-03-23 | L6140336-4 | 0.164 ppm |
| 2016-03-23 | L6140336-3 | 0.152 ppm |
| 2016-03-23 | L6140336-7 | 0.132 ppm |
| 2016-03-23 | L6140336-8 | 0.110 ppm |
| 2017-03-16 | L6723328-8SC | 0.350 ppm |
| 2017-03-16 | L6723328-1 | 0.410 ppm |
| 2017-03-16 | L6723328-4 | 0.360 ppm |
| 2017-03-16 | L6723328-3 | 0.440 ppm |
| 2017-03-16 | L6723328-2 | 0.370 ppm |
| 2017-03-16 | L6723328-7IOC | 0.370 ppm |
| 2017-03-16 | L6723328-5 | 0.450 ppm |
| 2017-03-16 | L6723328-6 | 0.400 ppm |
| 2017-12-13 | 371213023.2 | 0.190 ppm |
| 2017-12-13 | 371213022.1 | 0.210 ppm |
| 2017-12-13 | 371213022.2 | 0.210 ppm |
| 2017-12-13 | 371213021.2 | 0.260 ppm |
| 2017-12-13 | 371213021.1 | 0.260 ppm |
| 2017-12-13 | 371213023.1 | 0.190 ppm |
| 2018-03-29 | 380329040.2 | 0.130 ppm |
| 2018-03-29 | 380329040.1 | 0.130 ppm |
| 2018-03-29 | 380329039.1 | 0.1000 ppm |
| 2018-03-29 | 380329039.2 | 0.1000 ppm |
| 2018-03-29 | 380329041.1 | 0.130 ppm |
| 2018-03-29 | 380329041.2 | 0.130 ppm |
| 2019-03-06 | 390306740.2 | 0.190 ppm |
| 2019-03-06 | 390306740.1 | 0.190 ppm |
| 2019-03-06 | 390306741.1 | 0.160 ppm |
| 2019-03-06 | 390306741.2 | 0.160 ppm |
| 2019-03-06 | 390306738.1 | 0.150 ppm |
| 2019-03-06 | 390306738.2 | 0.150 ppm |